Mady Thompson
Operations
Latest articles
Celebrating 60 Years of the Pennine Way: A Journey of Laughter and Landscapes
It was a swift turnaround. After arriving back from our family camping holiday in the French Alps, we had less than 24 hours to wash clothes and re-pack for our Pennine Way walking trip. This year my husband Neil, and our youngest son Monty had decided to join me – making it a complete change to two weeks camping. We were all looking forward to it! We chose to walk part of the Pennine Way as it’s a route I help to book in the Operations team and, as a family, we had never explored the Cheviot Hills. The Pennine Way was opened 60 years ago, on 24 April 1965 and so it seemed fitting that we celebrate this iconic walk. We decided on the northern five day walking section from Greenhead to Kirk Yetholm. The starting point was fairly close to home and suited the time we had available. We arrived at the Greenhead Hotel and enjoyed a lovely meal whilst excitedly checking our guidebook and map to review the first day’s route. The next morning, we felt well-rested after a good night’s sleep in comfy beds – a real treat from camping mats! The staff took great care of us,…
Autumn in the Dales
Having joined the Mickledore team earlier this year, I was delighted to be asked to plan a familiarisation trip on one of the routes I book in the Operations Team. Walking the Dales Way was going to fit in really well with the time I had available and offered a daily mileage itinerary suitable for me, walking 6 days and averaging around 12 miles per day. With the route decided I next looked to find a companion who could find the time to join me. My friend Catherine stepped up and we were all set. Walking late in the season we were prepared for all weathers, but after the summer we’d had … who knows what weather to expect! Arriving at Ilkley Catherine and I both travel by train to meet at Ilkley, me from Cumbria and Catherine from the Peak District. Our journeys go smoothly and we meet on the platform in the sunshine. We are too early to check into our accommodation, so we have time to amble around the lovely old spa town of Ilkley and discuss our walking week looking at our map and guidebook over a coffee and a bowl of chips! We find our…